Gripper for printing presses



May 6, 1941. E. D. ALLEN GRIPPER FOR PRINTING PRESSES Filed April 22, 1940 Patented May 6, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 1 Claim.

This invention relates to grippers for printing presses and the mechanism associated customarily therewith, and has for its object the production of a gripper appliance for presses usually termed job presses, but not necessarily limited thereto, the gripper appliances being of special construction and arrangement. This invention comprises a gripper plate having a plurality of sockets wherein gripper arms may be placed in a number of different positions without the loss of time needed to adjust the plate.

The special construction and arrangement constituting this invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawing forming a part of this application, and of which Fig, 1 represents the top view or plan of a platen with this invention in position thereupon.

Fig. 2 is a view of the edge of the gripper plate showing the spaced sockets in the edge portion, and showing also the turned down edge of the rear or narrower portion of the plate.

Fig. 3 is a bottom View or plan view of the under surface of the plate.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary sectional View somewhat enlarged showing the transverse form of the sockets.

Fig. 5 is a sectional View of the gripper plate taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 3.

Throughout the drawing and this specification the same number is used to refer to the same part.

Considering the drawing, a platen l is pivotally connected with a supporting portion 2 of a printing press. Transversely arranged at the edge of the platen is a member 3 the ends of which are pivotally supported. Carried by the member are the gripper plates 4. As best shown in Fig. 3 the plate has a narrower side portion provided with an orifice 5 and a downturned edge 6. When the parts are assembled the turned edge -6 engages a groove 1 or longitudinal recess near the edge of the member 3, the object being to hold the plate against rotative displacement when the turned edge 6 engages the groove 1, and the screw 8 is passed through the orifice 5 of the plate and the longitudinal slot ll of the member to secure the plate in the desired position upon the member.

As illustrated in the drawing the plate 4 has a widened portion provided with a series of sockets 9 usually of the same size and shape and arranged parallel one with another. Into the sockets the ends of the gripper arms ll] are placed when the parts are assembled.

It will be noted in the operation of this invention the plates may be secured at any desired point along the member at the edge of the platen, and the arms may be inserted in the sockets and changed in position without detaching the plates after adjustment. A considerable saving of time results in practice from this construction. This invention is not intended to be limited to the exact formation, size or material of the parts described.

Having now described this invention, I claim:

A gripper for printing presses comprising in combination with the platen of the press, a transverse member arranged at the edge of the platen, said member having a slot extending lengthwise through it and a groove parallel with the slot, a gripper plate provided with a series of spaced sockets constructed to receive the ends of spaced grippers, said plate having a turned down edge opposite the sockets and a screw hole through the plate, the said turned down edge of the plate engaging the groove in said member, and screws passing through the plate and engaging the slot in the said member to secure the plate in adjusted position.

ELBERT D. ALLEN. 

